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At Granite Harbor Advisors, we value the educational process, giving our clients the knowledge to move forward with confidence.

Business

How to Pass on a Family Business to the Next Generation
4 minutes read

How to Pass on a Family Business to the Next Generation

Contributed by: Tom Kelley, MBA For many families, a business is not just a source of income; it is a legacy. Successfully passing on a family business to the next generation involves more than a handshake or an informal agreement. It requires intentional planning, strategic preparation, and a focus on preserving family harmony while ensuring the business remains strong and sustainable. At Granite…
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How to Prepare Your Business for Sale: 10 Tips for Success
4 minutes read

How to Prepare Your Business for Sale: 10 Tips for Success

Contributed by: Pijus Bulvinas, CFP® and Sam Breske, Director, Affinity Ventures If you are getting ready to sell your business or believe that a sale may be on the horizon in the next several years, it is crucial to plan accordingly. Proper planning and preparation for the sale of your business can significantly impact the success and profitability of the transaction. Here are 10 steps to consider…
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Valuing Your Business for Succession and Sale
3 minutes read

Valuing Your Business for Succession and Sale

Contributed by: Tom Kelley, MBA In the dynamic world of business, preparing for succession or sale demands a meticulous approach, with business valuation standing out as a critical component. Accurately valuing your business not only sets realistic expectations but also lays the foundation for a successful transition. Here, we review the importance of accurate business valuation and explore key principles…
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Navigating Business Exit Planning: What Are My Options?
3 minutes read

Navigating Business Exit Planning: What Are My Options?

Contributed by: Nicholas E. Gonzalez, CEPA®, CRPS®, CDMA® For business owners contemplating their next steps, understanding and evaluating exit options is crucial. This article explores the fundamentals of exit options analysis, emphasizing its significance and exploring the two primary categories for private ownership transitions: "inside" and "outside" strategies. The Essence of Exit Options Analysis Exit…
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Business Continuity Planning for Entrepreneurs: Securing Your Future
3 minutes read

Business Continuity Planning for Entrepreneurs: Securing Your Future

Contributed by: Caleb Christian, CFP®, CLU®, ChFC® In the dynamic world of entrepreneurship, the resilience of your business is just as crucial as its growth. Business continuity planning (BCP) is an essential strategy that ensures your business can weather unforeseen disruptions. For entrepreneurs and small business owners, a robust business continuity plan is not just a safeguard—it's a strategic…
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Using Buy-Sell Agreements to Protect Your Business
3 minutes read

Using Buy-Sell Agreements to Protect Your Business

Contributed by: Tom Kelley, MBA In the dynamic world of business, continuity and stability are paramount. Business owners often face the challenge of safeguarding their enterprise against unforeseen events that can disrupt operations. One of the most effective tools in ensuring business continuity is the buy-sell agreement. This strategic legal document is essential for protecting your business from…
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Understanding Net Unrealized Appreciation (NUA) for Oil & Gas Executives 
5 minutes read

Understanding Net Unrealized Appreciation (NUA) for Oil & Gas Executives 

Contributed by: Tom Kelley, MBA As an executive in the oil and gas industry, particularly for leading companies like ConocoPhillips, Exxon, or BP, strategic financial planning is essential to managing your wealth effectively. One powerful tool that may be available to you is Net Unrealized Appreciation (NUA), a tax strategy that could significantly enhance your retirement distribution plans. In this…
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You've Agreed to Sell Your Business. What's Next?
5 minutes read

You've Agreed to Sell Your Business. What's Next?

By: Brian Sak CFP®, CLU®, ChFC® Selling your business is a monumental milestone, often accompanied by a wave of emotions and critical financial decisions. For many exiting business owners, this moment represents both the culmination of years of hard work and the start of a new chapter. But what happens after you've shaken hands on the deal? In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through the essential…
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Navigating Rule 10b5-1 Trading Plans: A Detailed Guide
3 minutes read

Navigating Rule 10b5-1 Trading Plans: A Detailed Guide

Contributed by: Nicholas E. Gonzalez, CEPA®, CRPS® Ensuring compliance while managing personal investments is a significant challenge for senior executives and directors of public companies. Company trading policies often impose restrictions to prevent conflicts of interest and insider trading, making it difficult for executives to sell shares. However, Rule 10b5-1 trading plans offer a solution. This…
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Understanding the Qualified Business Income Deduction
3 minutes read

Understanding the Qualified Business Income Deduction

What is the Qualified Business Income Deduction? The Qualified Business Income (QBI) Deduction is a tax provision introduced under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017. This deduction, available under Section 199A, allows eligible taxpayers to deduct up to 20% of their qualified business income from their taxable income. The purpose of this provision is to provide a tax break to small business…
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Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS)
4 minutes read

Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS)

Contributed By: Nicholas E. Gonzalez, CEPA®, CRPS® Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) presents a significant opportunity for investors seeking to minimize tax liabilities while supporting small businesses. Established under Section 1202 of the Internal Revenue Code, QSBS offers unique tax incentives that can be highly beneficial for both entrepreneurs and investors. This article will provide an…
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Understanding the 83(b) Election: A Strategic Tax Move for Business Leaders
4 minutes read

Understanding the 83(b) Election: A Strategic Tax Move for Business Leaders

Contributed by: Nicholas E. Gonzalez, CEPA®, CRPS® The 83(b) election is an essential tax planning strategy that can significantly impact the financial outcomes of business owners, C-suite executives, and founders. This article dives into the specifics of what an 83(b) election is, its tax implications, how it pertains to stock awards, when it should be considered, and the potential outcomes of making…
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Supreme Court's Decision in Connelly v. United States: Implications for Business Owners with Buy/Sell Agreements
4 minutes read

Supreme Court's Decision in Connelly v. United States: Implications for Business Owners with Buy/Sell Agreements

On June 13, 2024, the Supreme Court delivered its decision in Connelly v. United States, a landmark case that has significant implications for business owners with entity redemption buy/sell agreements. This ruling has reshaped the landscape of estate tax calculations and necessitates careful consideration of alternative structures for buy/sell agreements and life insurance policy ownership. Below…
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Navigating the Complexities of 280G Regulations in Mergers and Acquisitions
8 minutes read

Navigating the Complexities of 280G Regulations in Mergers and Acquisitions

Contributed by: Nicholas Gonzalez In the journey of any business, the strategic steps of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) stand as pivotal moments that can shape the company's path for years to come. For those entering this field, it's crucial to grasp that every move carries significant weight. Even a minor action can trigger a tax consequence under Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code, impacting…
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 Tips for Increasing the Benefits and Tax Breaks of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)
4 minutes read

Tips for Increasing the Benefits and Tax Breaks of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)

In the complex world of healthcare finance, one tool often stands out for its versatility and tax advantages - the Health Savings Account (HSA). HSAs are tax-advantaged medical savings accounts available to taxpayers enrolled in high-deductible health plans. But beyond being merely a savings tool, the HSA, when used strategically, can offer significant financial benefits. This guide will provide valuable…
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The Corporate Transparency Act
3 minutes read

The Corporate Transparency Act

The Corporate Transparency Act: Implications and Considerations As the clock ticks closer to January 1, 2024, businesses across the nation are preparing for the implementation of the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA). This landmark legislation aims to enhance transparency and accountability in the corporate world. Here we will discuss the main provisions of the CTA, discuss its implications for small…
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Secure Your Business Legacy: The Power of Buy-Sell Agreement Planning for Business Owners
6 minutes read

Secure Your Business Legacy: The Power of Buy-Sell Agreement Planning for Business Owners

The Power of Buy-Sell Agreement Planning for Business Owners As a business owner, ensuring the long-term success and continuity of your enterprise is usually at the very top of the list of priorities. One of the essentials that can help you achieve this goal is effective buy-sell planning. This article delves into the significance of buy-sell planning for business owners and highlights the key strategies…
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Understanding Your Retirement Benefits: Things to consider as a BP Executive Preparing to Retire
7 minutes read

Understanding Your Retirement Benefits: Things to consider as a BP Executive Preparing to Retire

How do I make the most of my BP retirement benefits? As one of the most lucrative positions in the oil and gas industry, BP executives enjoy exceptional employee benefits. However, navigating these offerings can be overwhelming, even for high-level executives. From cash compensation and severance packages to stock options and bonuses, the array of benefits can be daunting to navigate—especially anticipating…
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Managing Your 401(k) After Job Transition: Key Considerations & Advanced Tax Strategies
6 minutes read

Managing Your 401(k) After Job Transition: Key Considerations & Advanced Tax Strategies

What to do with Your 401(k) after Leaving a Job: Key Considerations & Advanced Tax Strategies When navigating a job transition, whether entering retirement or an unexpected layoff, one crucial aspect that requires careful consideration is what to do with your 401(k) plan. Making informed choices is of utmost importance to safeguard your financial future. By taking stock of your existing plan and…
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Tax-Efficient Strategies When Selling a Business
6 minutes read

Tax-Efficient Strategies When Selling a Business

For business owners who may have worked for decades to build up their companies, deciding to sell the business can be an emotional process. But it’s also a practical one where savvy business owners need to find ways to minimize the tax implications of selling a business to benefit themselves and other stakeholders. There are a number of strategies, particularly during the planning stage and the sales…
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How to Create Liquidity by Selling a Business to an ESOP
5 minutes read

How to Create Liquidity by Selling a Business to an ESOP

Selling a closely held business can be an incredibly complex process that requires a lot of thoughtful planning. For business owners, two challenges often come to the forefront: finding a buyer and creating a liquidity event for the business owner. Selling a business to an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) can address both of these issues while also creating an incentive for employees. Here’s a…
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Stock Compensation Strategies: How to Balance Risk and Achieve Tax Efficiency
5 minutes read

Stock Compensation Strategies: How to Balance Risk and Achieve Tax Efficiency

Many corporate executives receive stock as part of their total compensation package. This not only helps align personal goals and company objectives while rewarding top talent with appreciable assets, but many executives enjoy tying their finances, in part, to their employer. They believe in their company and in their own ability to help that company grow. But as total compensation becomes skewed toward…
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Rolling over your 401(K)? Consider Net Unrealized Appreciation first
4 minutes read

Rolling over your 401(K)? Consider Net Unrealized Appreciation first

At Granite Harbor Advisors, we believe in helping our clients better understand all of their options so they can make the best decision for their families. To that end, here is a more detailed look at what net unrealized appreciation is and how you can use it to advance your financial goals. What is net unrealized appreciation (NUA)? Net unrealized appreciation is simply the difference in value between…
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Building Traction Within Your Business

Building Traction Within Your Business

Our trusted business advisor and friend, Gene Roberts joins us about the importance of having structure in your business. Structure for effective accountability, and structure for efficient communication. Gene explains the basics of the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), and how it can transform your business.
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Succession Planning Starts Now

Succession Planning Starts Now

Define your legacy Leaving a business you built from the ground up or played a significant role in shaping is never easy. You want to know that the legacy you created will be protected and outlast your time with the company. That’s why succession planning and continuity planning are so important. With a written plan in place, you can feel confident your vision, goals, priorities, and values will be respected and continued for years to come. At Granite Harbor, we recommend business owners begin continuity and succession planning as soon as their business comes into existence. We also help business owners create and modify plans as needed, offering guidance to protect personal finances as well as the financial health of the business. That’s also why we created this eBook, to highlight some of the most pressing issues facing business owners in the succession planning process. You’ll find insights on how to approach a variety of scenarios and what to consider at each stage. By identifying your goals and the financial strategies to achieve them, you can develop continuity and succession plans that define your legacy and position your company for long-term success.
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Money in Motion

Money in Motion

Preparing for life’s significant triumphs, transitions and setbacks. As a business owner or executive, you recognize the value of hard work and have achieved success through persistence and determination. You also understand that goals are best accomplished using a team of professionals collaborating to bring fresh ideas, innovations and perspectives. When it comes to wealth planning, it’s vital to take the same collaborative approach with trusted advisors to build upon a solid foundation and achieve maximum potential. A fiduciary-level team of advisors can help you manage your finances at every stage of life and provide guidance to make your money work for you more efficiently. This ebook will cover the moments in life when your money is (or should be) in motion and how a team of advisors can provide guidance and recommendations that serve your best interests.
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Retirement Planning with Purpose and Confidence

Retirement Planning with Purpose and Confidence

Retiring with Peace of Mind Everyone has a different vision for what their retirement looks like. However, the foundations to get there are always the same: Thoughtful planning and attentive financial management from the time you start your career all the way through your retirement years is essential. Whether you are a young executive just starting to formulate a retirement strategy, approaching retirement age, or making the long-awaited transition into retirement, a trusted team of financial advisors can provide experienced and objective guidance to help keep your plans on track. This eBook offers insights on how executives and business owners should approach each stage of their retirement journey.
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